US 6,582,329 B1Granted

Hoop for indicating when a basketball passes therethrough

OwnerEdwin Cabrerainventor

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Abstract

A hoop for indicating when a basketball passes therethrough that includes a ring and first and second apparatuses. In a first embodiment, the first apparatus includes a momentary microswitch, a lever that closes the microswitch when contacted by the basketball, and a timer that activates when the momentary switch is closed. In a second embodiment, the first apparatus includes a light source and a photo electric cell that receives a beam of light from the light source. When the beam of light is broken by the basketball, the photo electric cell activates and activates the timer. The second apparatus includes an internal ring, a plurality of bulbs removably mounted in, and illuminating through, the internal ring when the timer is activated, a plurality of tube assemblies that depend from, and visually communicate with, the internal ring, a speaker, and an annunciator that audiblizes through the speaker when the timer is activated.

A hoop for indicating when a basketball passes therethrough, comprising:

a) a ring;
and
c) first means for activating when the basketball passes through said ring;
and
wherein said ring is for having the basketball pass therethrough,
wherein said ring comprises an inner ring;
wherein said ring comprises an outer ring;
wherein said outer ring is replaceably attached to said inner ring;
and
wherein said outer ring is concentrically attached to said inner ring, wherein said inner ring has a vertical wall;
and
wherein said vertical wall of said inner ring is cylindrically-shaped, wherein said vertical wall of said inner ring has an uppermost terminal edge;
wherein said uppermost terminal edge of said vertical wall of said inner ring is circular-shaped;
wherein said vertical wall of said inner ring has a lowermost terminal edge;
and
wherein said lowermost terminal edge of said vertical wall of said inner ring is circular-shaped, wherein said inner ring has a horizontal wall;
wherein said horizontal wall of said inner ring is flat;
and
wherein said horizontal wall of said inner ring is donut-shaped, wherein said horizontal wall of said inner ring has an innermost terminal edge;
wherein said innermost terminal edge of said horizontal wall of said inner ring is circular-shaped;
wherein said horizontal wall of said inner ring has an outermost terminal edge;
wherein said outermost terminal edge of said horizontal wall of said inner ring is circular-shaped;
wherein said outermost terminal edge of said horizontal wall of said inner ring is concentric with said innermost terminal edge of said horizontal wall of said inner ring;
and
wherein said outermost terminal edge of said horizontal wall of said inner ring is coplanar with said innermost terminal edge of said horizontal wall of said inner ring, wherein said vertical wall of said inner ring has a plurality of throughbores;
wherein said plurality of throughbores in said vertical wall of said inner ring extend horizontally through said vertical wall of said inner ring;
and
wherein said plurality of throughbores in said vertical wall of said inner ring are spaced circumferentially around said vertical wall of said inner ring, wherein said plurality of throughbores in said vertical wall of said inner ring, are disposed in close proximity to said lowermost terminal edge of said vertical wall of said inner ring.

25 more elements

Abstract

Claims48